Learn German Online: Guide & Online Course Overview

German is a fascinating language. Prominent historical figures such as Goethe and Schiller, Kant and Nietzsche have earned German the nickname “the language of poets and thinkers”. At the same time, German has the reputation of being a difficult language to learn. Here you can find German online course and more information on learning German online below.

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	Mondly - Learn through play Mondly is a language learning tool that has won many awards and is constantly being further developed. Users are being navigated through the courses in a gaming environment. Mondly also provides multi-level learning plans on a user-friendly interface.	4 €	More
	Rosetta Stone - Learning platform Rosetta Stone is a very well-known brand in the language platform sector. Many companies and institutions cooperate with the provider, which has now been on the market for over 15 years and offers over 25 different languages. Learning takes place in the form of trainers and live lessons with tutors.	10 €	More
	Preply - Online tutors Preply.com is an online platform connecting students with private tutors worldwide. Whether you're looking to learn a new language, enhance your academic skills, or prepare for exams, Preply offers a diverse range of tutors specializing in various subjects.	4 €	More
	Lingoda - Online language school Lingoda is an interactive online language school that offers you a customizable timetable. The platform acts as a link between over 1,000 experienced teachers and course participants. The units are taught in small groups (3-5 people).	6 €	More
	LinguaTV - Interactive learning LinguaTV offers you a modern online learning platform that guides you through your learning modules using videos and learning games. The platform is available on the go via app and requires no download, so you have access from anywhere and can learn your desired language flexibly.	20 €	More
	Babbel - Language learning platform Babbel provides interactive language learning courses for users of all proficiency levels, offering an effective and enjoyable way to acquire new language skills. With practical conversation practice and convenient accessibility, Babbel empowers learners to progress at their own pace.cts.	6 €	More

Online German course: How to learn German as a foreign language

German has a reputation for being a difficult language to learn. Would you like to take on the challenge anyway?

Then an online German course could be just the thing for you! With an online course, you have the opportunity to learn German with language teachers and native German speakers wherever and whenever you want. In this guide, we have put together why this is worthwhile for you, how it works and how much it costs to learn German online.

Why is it worth learning German online?

The question shouldn’t really be why it’s worth learning German online. But rather why you want to learn German. There are various reasons for learning a new language. What is your motivation for taking on the language of poets and thinkers? German can be useful in the following situations, for example:

• A plus point at work: professional life is international for many employees these days. If your company is planning to expand into the German market, for example, it may be worthwhile for you to learn German.
• German for your studies: Are you planning a semester at a German university or are you already learning German as a foreign language? Then an online German course can also help you learn.

• Family or marriage: If you have a German-speaking partner, it may also be worthwhile for you to learn German. This will give you the opportunity to communicate in German not only with your partner but also with their family.German on vacation: German language skills can be very useful when travelling. In Europe, German is the official language in six countries: Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, South Tyrol, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and, of course, Germany.
• Language learning as a hobby: Perhaps learning a foreign language is simply a nice pastime for you? After your German course online, you will not only have done something for your mental fitness, but you can also read Thomas Mann in the original or watch the Netflix series “Oktoberfest” without subtitles.
• Help with homeschooling: Even if you already speak German, you may reach your limits when homeschooling your children due to COVID-19. In this case, an online German course can help you brush up on your grammar skills.

Did you know: German is the third most commonly learned foreign language in the world after English and French! This puts learning German even ahead of Italian and Spanish.

How difficult is it to learn online?

German has a reputation for being an extremely difficult language. Even if it may seem so because of the many compound words and the unusual pronunciation for many, there are much more difficult languages in the world than German.To help classify how difficult it is to learn a language, the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) in the USA has categorized various languages from one (easy) to four (difficult).

The criterion for the classification is how long it takes a native English speaker to learn the language.Surprisingly, German is placed in category one here. This means that you can learn the language within 24 weeks.This contrasts with Greek or Polish (categories two and three) and Arabic or Chinese (category four).

For which language level is learning online suitable?

A German course online is suitable for every language level! This means that regardless of whether you – or the person you are learning German for – already have previous knowledge of German or don’t speak a single word of German yet, you are guaranteed to find the right language course for your needs online.

Most online German courses are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in order to classify the level of your German language skills or your learning progress. These categories determine how well you can read, understand and speak German:

• A1: Basic vocabulary, simple conversations about yourself and others if the other person speaks slowly and provides occasional assistance
• A2: Independently hold conversations about various everyday situations without outside help
• B1 and B2: Conversing and understanding complex content, using different tenses and expressing dreams or ideas
• C1: Can converse on very complex topics and lead discussions without problems or help
• C2: Almost equivalent to native speaker level

Not quite sure what language level you have? No problem, most online German courses offer a placement test before the start of the course so that you can start at the level that corresponds to your knowledge.

How can you learn online?

There are various models for learning German online. Some German courses, for example, rely onpre-produced courses with videos to watch, text exercises and possibly also textbooks. Innovative learning platforms also offer apps that allow you to learn German in a fun and entertaining way.

Others rely on interactive live lessons. This means that you are connected to a German teacher via a video conferencing tool and thus learn the new language. There is also the option of either taking individual lessons or learning German online in a group.

Which method you choose should depend on how you learn best. Every German course online will train you in the following areas:

• Reading: For many, the first step in learning German is reading. If the German learner cannot read the Latin alphabet, that can also be part of the online course.
• Listening: The second step typically involves learning to listen once you have mastered a certain basic vocabulary and can correctly categorize unfamiliar words.
• Speaking: The last and most challenging step for most people learning German is speaking and practicing correct pronunciation.

In addition, in a German course, you will of course learn a variety of vocabulary so that you can communicate in everyday life as well as in various life situations. Additionally, there are German courses for specific situations or target groups, such as German for the workplace or integration courses for refugees.

What do you need for an online class?

For an online German course, you don’t need much. In addition to an internet-capable device such as a PC, laptop, smartphone, or tablet, you’ll need a stable internet connection and a quiet place where you can learn German undisturbed. Most language learners prefer a device with a larger screen and keyboard as well as a desk to focus on the course.

Depending on the course, you may also need a webcam, a headset, and something to write with. Some German teachers also work with books. The exact requirements for the online German course of your choice will be communicated to you by the provider before the lessons begin.

What are the advantages of an online course?

 You can take a German course online or in a language school or adult education center with face-to-face instruction. There are still many people who are skeptical about online courses – especially in the field of language courses, there is no reason for that at all! On the contrary, an online German course offers several important advantages:

• Learning from home, at your own pace, and at your own convenience, after work or on weekends
• Learning at your own pace and the ability to review lessons as often as you like
• No commuting required, making it possible to learn German even from abroad
• No need for additional childcare arrangements for families
• A wide range of courses available, allowing you to choose according to your needs

Online courses have proven their effectiveness since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. As long as many language schools and adult education centers remain closed or are only allowed to conduct face-to-face classes under very strict conditions, an online German course is the perfect alternative. You can comfortably improve your language skills from home while also protecting yourself and others.

What certificates are available for an online course?

If you intend to take an online German course to start studying at a German university or to further your professional development, you should ensure that the course you choose awards a certificate. The three most important officially recognized certificates for German as a foreign or second language are:

• TELC Certificate: “The European Language Certificate” follows the European Framework of Reference for Languages and is awarded for language levels A1 to C2.
• Goethe Institute Certificate: This certificate is recognized by many universities or employers as proof of your language skills. It is awarded after a written and oral exam and certifies language proficiency at level B1.
• German Language Diploma: The German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs is less relevant for online German courses, as it can mainly be obtained within the framework of German school instruction abroad.

Cost of an online course

Here’s some good news: Learning German online is generally cheaper than taking language classes at a local language school or adult education center. Depending on the provider, you can either purchase an entire course for a fixed price, pay a monthly fee, or pay for individual language lessons. Taking an exam to obtain a certificate after your German course may be charged separately in some cases.

Of course, you can find free online German courses on internet platforms like YouTube or through language learning providers. However, these courses are often superficial and not a suitable replacement for a professionally designed, systematically structured language course to learn German from scratch.

Learning online: Easily learn vocabulary & more on the internet

Whether for professional or personal reasons, with an online German course, you can learn the basic vocabulary of the German language within a few weeks or systematically expand your existing language skills. Although German is commonly considered a difficult language, a well-prepared German course can support your learning effectively and may even enable you to obtain a language certificate upon completion.

Opting for an online German course allows you to learn not only flexibly in terms of time and location but also enables you to prepare for new adventures even from abroad!